Campus Center

What if I told you a basketball game changed the face of student living in University City? Right here, at Campus Center, that’s exactly what happened. Campus Apartments, the company behind much of the student housing around us, has a fascinating origin story. The Campus Center area is deeply intertwined with its growth. Founded in 1958 by Alan Horwitz, Campus Apartments began modestly. Eleven-year-old David Adelman, a future CEO of Campus Apartments, brashly challenged Horwitz to a basketball game. He bet he could win. Horwitz, ever the teacher, used the opportunity to give young Adelman a lesson about betting – and won the boy’s basketball in the process. This seemingly small event led to a mentorship. Adelman eventually became president and CEO of Campus Apartments under Horwitz’s guidance. Campus Apartments initially focused on properties further west of the University of Pennsylvania. Horwitz saw an opportunity in the lower prices around 40th and 41st streets, catering mostly to graduate students. The Campus Center vicinity wasn’t yet the student housing hub it is today. In the 1960s, Penn expanded westward, using eminent domain. Horwitz profited from the sale of his properties to the city. More importantly, the university’s growth converged with his business. Campus Apartments flourished. They became known for providing quality student housing. They developed properties, concentrating between Pine and Sansom Streets, from 40th to 45th streets. This is the heart of today’s Campus Center. Campus Apartments adapted to the changing times. During the 70s and 80s, they implemented innovative marketing techniques. They branded their properties with a distinctive look and coined catchy names like “Beige Block.” They also added amenities like outdoor porches and a shuttle bus system, enhancing student comfort. The company’s impact extended beyond student housing. They invested in neighborhood improvements, repairing sidewalks, renovating old walls, and painting houses. This revitalization spurred other landlords to follow suit. Campus Apartments has played an important role in shaping the University City area, particularly around Campus Center. Today, Campus Apartments manages a substantial portfolio of properties across the country and continues to be a major presence in University City. From a simple basketball game to a real estate empire, Campus Apartments’ history is interwoven with the very fabric of this area, the Campus Center. Their story reminds us that even seemingly small events can have a large impact.